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MOCK DRAFT
Ask the Commish.Com 2022 Draft Kit
He's coming off a 49-493-5 that probably represents the height of his potential. Now that he's gone from the Bengals to the Jets, Uzomah probably shouldn't be on your 2022 target list.
Tyler Conklin posted highs across all receiving categories while also serving as the TE15 in fantasy in 2021. He finished ninth in route participation, 12th in target share and ninth in receptions. His impressive season earned him a three-year deal worth $21 million with the New York Jets. But the Jets also signed ex-Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah in free agency and drafted Ohio State tight end Jeremy Ruckert in the third round. The situation looks horrible for Conklin in a potential three-way tight end committee in a bad to below average offense. However, the situation alone has made Conklin virtually free across the board in early best ball drafts, and I think he's worth the late-round dart throw. The former Minnesota Viking should be the favorite to earn primary pass-catching duties.
Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst is hardly a world-beater, but it's hard to not view him as a winner post-draft. The former Falcon is in sole possession of C.J. Uzomah's vacated role from last season offers some fantasy appeal. Uzomah's 78% route participation ranked fourth-highest among tight ends in 2021 Every-down tight ends on the field that often in high-scoring environments will stumble into fantasy scoring. It's a highly coveted role primed to ooze fantasy points. However, being on the field doesn't always translate to the requisite fantasy production especially in offenses loaded with other weapons. Uzomah's 13% target rate per route run ranked last among tight ends with at least 40 targets in 2021. Hurst's 15% target rate wasn't much better. It doesn't exactly inspire confidence that Hurst is the clear-cut late-round tight end to target in 2022, but he is well worth targeting late in drafts. Hurst is just one year removed from a TE9 overall finish in 2020.
Evan Engram's PFF receiving grade has declined over the last four seasons, bottoming out in 2021 at 54.9 - 40th among 44 qualifying tight ends. And he hasn't disappointed due to a lack of opportunities, either. He finished top-15 in route participation (68%) and had almost zero competition for targets with injuries to Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney and Sterling Shepard. Alas, Engram failed to command any worthwhile target share with his abysmal 14% target rate per route run. So consider me slightly hesitant to buy into Engram breaking out in 2022 because his new head coach has a history of featuring tight ends. Sure, it works in Engram's favor, but last I checked Dan Arnold is still on the team. And Doug Pederson has also been known to heavily feature two tight ends in his offense, which doesn't always translate to fantasy success.
Gerald Everett was solid during stretches of the 2021 season, particularly after Russell Wilson returned from injury. The ex-Rams tight end ranked as the TE9 in fantasy points per game (PPR) from Weeks 10-16 while running a route on 74% of dropbacks. Everett proved he can be a featured No. 1 tight end for the Chargers coming off a career year. He achieved career-highs in receptions (48) and receiving yards (478) and wreaked havoc with the ball in his hands, forcing 11 missed tackles after the catch - sixth-most among tight ends. His peripheral metrics in Seattle's offense - 12% target share, 63% route participation and 17% target rate per route run - were nearly identical to Jared Cook on the Chargers offense last season. Cook finished as TE16 overall which seems like Everett's fantasy floor heading into 2022. The tackle-breaking tight end finished the 2021 season just .4 points per game short of Cook's average (8.3 versus 7.9) despite playing in an offense that ranked dead last in pass attempts per game (29.1). L.A. ranked third in that category last season (39.6). Breakout tight ends are generally athletic players who earn above-average route participation in high-powered offenses. Everett fits the profile of next season's star at the position.
There was hope that a QB upgrade in Denver could take Fant to the next level. Unfortunately, Fant was part of the trade package that enabled the Broncos to acquire Russell Wilson. Fant is athletic and has demonstrated his pass-catching chops, but Seattle's bleak QB situation is going to be a limiting factor.
Once regarded as an elite TE prospect, Howard has been little more than a blocking tight end the last two years. Even with the move to Buffalo, it seems unlikely that Howard will become an impact fantasy contributor.
Austin Hooper signed with the Titans this offseason after being cut loose by the Cleveland Browns. The formerly highest-paid tight end in the league has seen his fantasy stock crash since leaving the Falcons, finishing back-to-back seasons outside the top-20 in TE scoring. Even as the perceived starter in Nashville, Hooper has an extremely low-ceiling in the Titans' run-heavy offense. Despite all the injuries last season, no tight end on TEN saw 45 targets or a greater than 10% target share.
Firkser always seems to get a little bit of attention from Fantasy managers, especially those in TE-premium leagues. However, he's never been able to establish himself as a legit receiving threat through four seasons. Reunited with his former position coach in Atlanta, Firkser will likely serve as a traditional tight end for the Falcons and help with their blocking more than their receiving. You shouldn't draft him.